Appearance-related Teasing Research Articles

Appearance-related teasing, rejection sensitivity, acceptance, and coping as risks and resources associated with online appearance preoccupation over one year

Online appearance preoccupation is a known correlate of poorer body image, social problems, and mental health symptoms among youth. Yet, this study is the first to investigate individual and social risks and resources expected to explain the level of concurrent, as well as change in, online appearance preoccupation across one year. We focused on two risk factors of appearance teasing online by peers and appearance-based sensitivity to rejection, and two positive resources of appearance neutral support from important others and ways of coping with appearance-related stressors. A total of 752 Australian adolescents and emerging adults (14–21 years; M = 17.8 years, SD = 1.8 years; 41% young men; about 95% White or Asian) recruited from secondary schools or university were included. Results of regression analyses suggested that, concurrently, online appearance teasing, appearance rejection sensitivity, and positive coping were uniquely associated with online appearance preoccupation. Further, the positive association of peer appearance teasing with online appearance preoccupation was stronger among young men than young women. Over time and once all risks and resources were considered, positive coping with appearance pressures was associated with a decrease in online appearance preoccupation from T1 to T2. Gender (girl/young woman) and intensity of social media use were notable risks for concurrent online appearance preoccupation and predictors of increases in preoccupation over one year. Findings are discussed in light of theory and provide practical suggestions for future research and interventions among youth.

A short-form drama series created for the digital media environment: A randomised controlled trial exploring effects on girls’ body satisfaction, acceptance of appearance diversity, and appearance-related internalised racism

‘Edutainment’ micro-interventions are a scalable public health strategy that can challenge media-related body image pressures and race- and weight- based stigma. This study evaluated the impact of viewing a brief, theoretically-informed, short-form drama episode on Black and non-Black adolescent girls’ body image, acceptance of diversity of appearance (assessed by acceptance of an individual in a larger body and a Black individual), and appearance-related internalised racism (among Black girls only). The fictional drama depicted characters of diverse body sizes and race/ethnicities, with each episode focusing on a risk or protective factor for body image concerns among adolescent girls (e.g., appearance-related teasing and conversations). Participants (N = 686; 50.4 % Black, 49.6 % non-Black) aged 13–18 (Mage = 15.72 years) were randomly allocated to view either the first episode of this series (focused on social media’s unrealistic appearance ideals and strategies to resist pressures) or a non-body-image-related control video. Findings revealed no significant differences in body satisfaction between conditions but significant improvements in the acceptance of appearance diversity among all girls who viewed the body image episode. Black girls who viewed this episode experienced significant improvements to appearance-related internalised racism. Edutainment micro-interventions constitute a promising avenue for promoting acceptance of appearance diversity and reducing appearance-related internalised racism.

Body Image among Girls in Indonesia: Associations with Disordered Eating Behaviors, Life Engagement, Desire for Cosmetic Surgery and Psychosocial Influences.

Body image is an important risk factor for mental and physical health during adolescence. Nonetheless, few studies have empirically investigated body image among girls in Southeast Asia. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of body esteem (a holistic measure of body image assessing the degree of satisfaction with one's appearance, weight, and shape), associated behavioral outcomes, and potential psychosocial influences on body image among Indonesian girls to inform future intervention efforts. Girls across Indonesia with internet access (N = 318, Mage = 13.59 years) completed a questionnaire that assessed body image, disordered eating behaviors, appearance-related life engagement, desire for cosmetic surgery, appearance ideal internalization, media literacy, appearance-related teasing, and self-esteem. The younger girls' (10-13 years) responses were analyzed separately from those of the older girls (14-17 years). Over half of the girls did not have high body esteem. Approximately a quarter of the girls across both age groups reported restricting their food intake, emotionally eating, and/or engaging in excessive exercise, and over half desired cosmetic surgery. Disordered eating behaviors and a desire for cosmetic surgery were negatively correlated with body esteem. Hierarchical regression analyses found BMI, internalization, appearance-related teasing, and self-esteem were uniquely associated with body esteem among younger girls. Appearance-related teasing and self-esteem were positively associated with body esteem among older girls. These findings suggest body image interventions may be important for this population, with appearance-related teasing and self-esteem potentially useful targets for intervention efforts. Further prospective research to investigate these findings would be beneficial for a deeper understanding of body image risk factors for girls across Indonesia.

“They are men, they will be looking even if you put on pants or a sweatshirt”: Girl athletes' and coaches' experiences of body image in Mexico City sport settings

Body image concerns are a barrier for girls’ participation in sports. Scarce evidence from Mexico suggests adolescents experience high levels of body dissatisfaction, and national statistics report low levels of physical activity among girls. This study aimed to explore girls’ body image concerns and coaches’ perceptions of girls’ body image experiences in sport. We used reflexive thematic analysis on secondary data from semi-structured focus groups conducted in Mexico City with 12 girls aged 11–17 years and six coaches from two sports organizations. Girls expressed feelings of self-consciousness about their performance, body-related teasing, the male gaze, and harassment within and outside sports contexts. Lack of support from coaches resulted in making excuses for withdrawing or supporting one another. Coaches’ accounts demonstrate gender stereotypes about girls in sport. They acknowledge that girls abandon sport because of appearance-related teasing and body image concerns. In addition, colorism and discomfort with speaking directly about bodily functions are fundamental sociocultural influences affecting their communication. This is the first qualitative study exploring girls’ body image concerns and coaches’ perceptions of such concerns in Mexico City. Further research in lower- and middle-income countries is key in developing effective intervention programs to help girls benefit from sport.

Mediating Effects of Intimacy Between Body Talk and Girls' Body Dissatisfaction: The Forgotten Sibling Relationship.

Teasing and pressure from family members influences the development of body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction is a common experience for girls and can lead to eating disorders. However, most body image disturbance research to date neglects the possible influence of siblings. In light of this, the present study investigated the associations between sibling negative appearance-based talk, intimacy, and body dissatisfaction. The sample consisted of 113 mostly White, female adolescents, whose ages ranged from 12 to 19 years with a mean age of 14.85 (SD = 1.62). This study first examined direct associations between negative body talk, including appearance related teasing and pressure from siblings, and girls' body dissatisfaction. Second, indirect effects models with intimacy included were examined. There were significant direct links between appearance related pressure from siblings and body dissatisfaction, and significant indirect effects such that sibling teasing and pressure were associated with sibling intimacy, which was associated with body dissatisfaction. These results indicate that siblings play an important role in the development of girls' body dissatisfaction.

Risk factors for eating disorders: an umbrella review of published meta-analyses.

Objective:To grade the evidence about risk factors for eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder) with an umbrella review approach.Methods:This was a systematic review of observational studies on risk factors for eating disorders published in PubMed/PsycInfo/Embase until December 11th, 2019. We recalculated random-effect meta-analyses, heterogeneity, small-study effect, excess significance bias and 95% prediction intervals, grading significant evidence (p < 0.05) from convincing to weak according to established criteria. Quality was assessed with the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) tool.Results:Of 2,197 meta-analyses, nine were included, providing evidence on 50 risk factors, 29,272 subjects with eating disorders, and 1,679,385 controls. Although no association was supported by convincing evidence, highly suggestive evidence supported the association between childhood sexual abuse and bulimia nervosa (k = 29, 1,103 cases with eating disorders, 8,496 controls, OR, 2.73, 95%CI 1.96-3.79, p = 2.1 x 10-9, AMSTAR-2 moderate quality) and between appearance-related teasing victimization and any eating disorder (k = 10, 1,341 cases with eating disorders, 3,295 controls, OR 2.91, 95%CI 2.05-4.12, p = 1.8x10-9, AMSTAR-2 moderate quality). Suggestive, weak, or no evidence supported 11, 29, and 8 associations, respectively.Conclusions:The most credible evidence indicates that early traumatic and stressful events are risk factors for eating disorders. Larger collaborative prospective cohort studies are needed to identify risk factors for eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa.

Evaluating the “Dove Confident Me” Five-Session Body Image Intervention Delivered by Teachers in Schools: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

PurposeBody dissatisfaction is common during adolescence and predicts poor psychological and physical health. Interventions have traditionally overrelied on delivery by external providers (e.g., researchers and psychologists), preventing scalability. This study evaluated the acceptability and effectiveness of a school-based body image intervention delivered by schoolteachers. MethodsSix British schools participated in a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. Girls and boys aged 11–13 years received the five-session intervention delivered by their teachers (n = 848) or lessons-as-usual control (n = 647) and were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 2-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 36-month follow-up. The primary outcome was body image (body esteem), secondary outcomes included risk factors for body image (internalization of appearance ideals, sociocultural pressures, social comparisons, appearance-related teasing, and conversations), and tertiary outcomes included psychosocial well-being (negative affect, self-esteem, dietary restraint, and life engagement). ResultsCompared with the control group, intervention students demonstrated improvements in the primary outcome of body esteem at postintervention (Cohen’s d = .15), 2-month (d = .26), and 6-month follow-up (d = .15). For girls, there was also a significant reduction in experienced appearance-related teasing at 6-month (d = .24) and 12-month (d = .30) follow-up. No other significant intervention effects were observed. The intervention was acceptable to students. ConclusionsThese findings present the longest sustained improvements in a cognitive-affective body image outcome observed among girls and boys during a teacher-led universal body image program to date. Intervention refinement and improved teacher training may further improve outcomes. Task-shifting intervention delivery to community providers to scale up interventions is a promising strategy.

One size does not fit all: Trajectories of body image development and their predictors in early adolescence.

Background: Negative body image predicts many adverse outcomes. The current study prospectively examined patterns of body esteem development in early adolescence and identified predictors of developmental subtypes. Methods: 328 girls and 429 boys reported annually across a 4-year period (Mage at baseline = 11.14, SD = 0.35) on body esteem, appearance ideal internalization, perceived sociocultural pressures, appearance comparisons, appearance-related teasing, self-esteem, positive and negative affect, and dietary restraint. We performed latent class growth analyses to identify the most common trajectories of body esteem development and examine risk and protective factors for body image development. Results: Three developmental subgroups were identified: (a) high body esteem (39.1%); (b) moderate body esteem (46.1%); and (c) low body esteem (14.8%). Body esteem was stable within the low trajectory and there were minor fluctuations in the high and moderate trajectories. Greater appearance-related teasing, lower self-esteem, less positive affect, and higher dietary restraint predicted the low trajectory, whereas higher self-esteem and lower dietary restraint best predicted the high trajectory. Conclusions: Low body esteem appears to be largely stable from age 11 years. Prevention programming may be enhanced by incorporating components to address transdiagnostic resilience factors such as self-esteem and positive affect.

Beyond the HEXACO model: The fear of being laughed at as a predictor of body image

This research examined the associations between the fear of being laughed at (i.e., gelotophobia) and several body image dimensions in a sample of 240 young adults from Spain (126 women and 114 men). Moreover, using regression analyses, we investigated the robustness of these associations, controlling for the influence of the HEXACO traits and adding an alternative variable to the predicting model: trait social anxiety, which is strongly associated with gelotophobia. Our results showed that gelotophobia correlated with greater scores on body surveillance, body shame, appearance orientation, and overweight preoccupation (rs ≥ .26). This laughter-related disposition also correlated with lower scores on appearance control beliefs, appearance evaluation, and body areas satisfaction (rs ≤ −.30). Self-classified weight was found to exist independently from gelotophobia. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed gelotophobia adds incremental variance (3–13%) in the prediction of these appearance-related dimensions beyond the HEXACO traits (3–20%; predominantly emotionality, extraversion, and honesty-humility traits). Furthermore, gelotophobia yielded stronger incremental values than trait social anxiety in the prediction of body image-related indicators, after controlling for the influence of broad personality traits. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the earlier literature on gelotophobia, appearance-related teasing, and body image disturbances.

Risk factors and temporal patterns of disordered eating differ in adolescent boys and girls: Testing gender-specific appearance anxiety models.

Adolescent dieting and disordered eating (DE) are risks for clinical eating disorders. In this five-wave longitudinal study, we tested gender-specific models linking early risk factors to temporal patterns of DE, considering appearance anxiety as a mediator. Participants were 384 Australian students (age 10 to 13; 45% boys) who reported their purging and skipping meals, experience with appearance-related teasing, media pressure, and appearance anxiety. Parents reported pubertal maturation and height/weight was measured. Gender differences in temporal patterns of DE were found and predictive models were tested using latent-variable growth curve and path models. Boys' DE was generally stable over time; girls showed stability in purging but an average increase in skipping meals. Peer teasing, media pressure, and pubertal maturation were associated with more elevated initial DE in girls, and pubertal maturation was associated with a steeper increase in DE. For boys, body mass index had a direct positive association with DE. Appearance anxiety was associated with more DE, but there was only one significant indirect effect via anxiety, which was for boys' pubertal maturation. Findings support the dominant role of social interactions and messages, as well as pubertal maturation, for girls' DE and the prominence of physical risk factors for explaining boys' DE.

Appearance-related teasing and substance use during early adolescence.

Appearance-related teasing is a pervasive form of bullying during adolescence. Yet, the impact of appearance-related teasing on risk for alcohol and marijuana use is unknown. This study, therefore, examined the relationship between appearance-related teasing and the use of alcohol and marijuana in a sample of 1,344 students (52% female; 51% non-Hispanic White; ages 11-14 years, M = 13.20, SD = 0.65) from 5 public middle schools. Participants completed a survey that assessed demographic characteristics, weight status, depressive symptoms, general peer victimization, experiences of appearance-related teasing perpetrated by family and peers, and substance use in the fall of 2016 (Time 1 [T1]) and spring of 2017 (T2). Findings at baseline (T1) indicated that more frequent appearance-related teasing was associated with higher concurrent levels of total alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and marijuana use (ps < .001). Longitudinally, more frequent appearance-related teasing at T1 predicted greater increases in total alcohol consumption (p < .01) and binge drinking frequency (p < .05) by T2 but was unrelated to changes in marijuana use (p > .05), adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, perceived socioeconomic status, body mass index z scores, depressive symptoms, general peer victimization frequency, and substance use at T1. Moderation analyses generally suggested that the positive associations between appearance-related teasing and alcohol use measures were stronger among adolescents who were girls (vs. boys) and who were overweight or obese (vs. nonoverweight). These findings suggest that appearance-related teasing may play a role in the origins of alcohol use during early adolescence and emphasize the need to mitigate the effects of appearance-related teasing and prevent early substance use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Appearance-Related Teasing and Substance Use During Early Adolescence

Supplemental Material for Appearance-Related Teasing and Substance Use During Early Adolescence

Sociocultural Influences on Men's Penis Size Perceptions and Decisions to Undergo Penile Augmentation: A Qualitative Study.

An increasing number of men, dissatisfied with their penises, are seeking cosmetic procedures to enhance their penis size. However, little is known about the social and cultural factors that influence men to consider these procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the sociocultural factors affecting men's attitudes toward their penis size as well as their decisions to undergo penile augmentation. One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 6 adult men who had previously undergone a penile augmentation. The men were asked about the sociocultural factors that they thought contributed to dissatisfaction with their penis size, and their motivations for having penile augmentation. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed through the use of thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged from the interviews, namely "influence of pornography," "comparison with peers," and "indirect appearance-related teasing." The men noted that the large penises of male actors in pornography had skewed their perception of normal penis size. All men had compared their penises with those of their peers, usually in the locker room, and often felt their own penis was smaller as a result. None of the participants had received direct negative comments about their penis size, but were aware that having a small penis was a source of mockery from exposure to jokes on mainstream media sources. These new insights into the sociocultural factors, namely media and peers, that influence men's desire for penile augmentation may assist clinicians in enhancing their communication with prospective patients.

An exploration of the psychometric properties of the SATAQ-4 among adolescent boys in Japan

Research among Western adult and adolescent males suggests that sociocultural influences are implicated in the drive for muscularity and weight-change behaviors. However, few studies have examined these relationships among adolescent boys from non-Western backgrounds. The current study sought to assess the psychometric properties of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), a 22-item, 5-factor measure of sociocultural influence on appearance ideals, among Japanese (n = 984) adolescent boys. Relationships between appearance-related pressures, appearance ideal internalization, appearance-related teasing, drive for muscularity, and weight-change behaviors were also assessed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified a four factor solution (Internalization: Thin/Low Body Fat, Internalization: Muscular/Athletic, Pressures: Media, and Pressures: Family/Peers) with 16 items in this sample. Correlational analyses supported the construct validity of the SATAQ-4. Thin internalization was associated with strategies to lose weight, while muscular internalization was associated with drive for muscularity and strategies to gain weight. Further, peer and parental appearance teasing was associated with perceived appearance pressures from family and peers, as well as weight change strategies. Overall, results suggested modification of the SATAQ-4 when used with Japanese samples, but supported its use to assess sociocultural influences. Additionally, the results highlight that sociocultural influences and muscularity concerns among Japanese adolescent boys are associated in similar ways with weight change strategies as has been established for adolescent males in Western countries.

Girls' and boys' trajectories of appearance anxiety from age 10 to 15 years are associated with earlier maturation and appearance-related teasing.

Adolescents' appearance-related concerns can provoke increasing emotional, social, and eating-related problems. The aims of this five-wave (2.5-year), multiple-informant longitudinal study were to (a) examine growth trajectories of appearance anxiety symptoms and appearance esteem, (b) identify whether trajectories differed by gender, and (c) examine several launching factors including parent-reported physical maturation, peer-rated physical appearance, body mass index, and appearance teasing by parents and peers. Participants were 387 adolescents (44% boys) aged 10 to 13 years at the first assessment. Steep growth in appearance anxiety symptoms was found for both girls and boys, but there was no average change in appearance esteem. Girls had more elevated appearance anxiety symptoms and lower appearance esteem than boys, girls' body mass index was associated with symptoms, and earlier physical maturation and teasing about appearance, alone and in combination, were associated with growth in appearance anxiety symptoms for girls and boys. Earlier maturing boys who were highly teased by parents, but even more so when teased by peers, were at utmost risk for elevated appearance anxiety symptoms and increasing symptoms over time. In contrast, all girls exhibited elevated or increasing appearance anxiety symptoms across time, with the exception of girls with the latest maturation who also reported little teasing about their appearance.

“Pretty Pressure” From Peers, Parents, and the Media: A Longitudinal Study of Appearance‐Based Rejection Sensitivity

Drawing from the tripartite sociocultural model of body image, the researchers examined whether direct messages and modeling from peers, parents, and media were concurrently and prospectively associated with appearance-based rejection sensitivity (appearance-RS) in young adolescents (Mage =12.0years). Appearance-RS was higher among those who concurrently reported more appearance-related teasing and pressure by peers, more parent teasing, and greater acceptance of media appearance ideals. In prospective analyses, greater increases in appearance-RS over 1year were found for adolescents who perceived higher levels of parental appearance-related teasing and negative attitudes about their own appearance. Moderation analyses indicated the positive prospective association between parental negative appearance attitudes and appearance-RS was found in younger but not older participants. Gender did not moderate associations.

Systematic Review: Bullying Involvement of Children With and Without Chronic Physical Illness and/or Physical/Sensory Disability—a Meta-Analytic Comparison With Healthy/Nondisabled Peers

To compare levels of victimization and perpetration associated with bullying among children and adolescents with and without chronic physical illnesses and/or physical or sensory disabilities. In total, 107 studies were identified using a systematic search in electronic databases and cross-referencing. A random-effects meta-analysis was computed. Children and adolescents with chronic physical illness or disability were more likely to be victims of bullying in general (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65), particularly physical bullying (OR = 1.47), relational bullying (OR = 1.47), verbal bullying (OR = 1.67), cyberbullying (OR = 1.39), and illness-specific teasing (OR = 5.29). They were also more likely to be bullies in general (OR = 1.28), as well physical (OR = 1.38) and relational bullies (OR = 1.13). The effect sizes varied across different illnesses and disabilities and, in part, by visibility of the disease, school type, and year of assessment. Although most between-group differences tend to be small, some form of intervention is needed to reduce bullying among children and adolescents with chronic physical illnesses and/or physical or sensory disabilities, and illness-specific weight- and appearance-related teasing in particular.

The source and impact of appearance teasing: an examination by sex and weight status among early adolescents from the Czech Republic.

Some adolescents are victims of negative appearance-related feedback, and this may have lasting adverse effects on their self-evaluation. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and impact of appearance teasing across sex and weight status. The participants were 570 Czech adolescents (47.9% girls) evaluated at age 13 during the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. Instruments used were body mass index and an adapted version of the Physical Experiences Survey that measures appearance teasing sources (parents, peers, among others), body part teased, and the impact of teasing. Chi-square test and multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to compare groups by sex and weight status. Logistic regression was then used for adjusted analyses. Girls were more likely to report appearance teasing than boys. Overweight adolescents, both girls and boys, were more likely to be teased than non-overweight adolescents. Overweight adolescents compared with non-overweight adolescents reported higher levels of impact of body-related teasing. Czech adolescents continue to adopt the societal standards of Western countries, stigmatizing overweight peers. This may affect more obese adolescents. Future research has to evaluate different sources of appearance-related teasing. Interventions in schools are suitable for the reduction of appearance-related prejudices.

Young Adolescents' Body Dysmorphic Symptoms: Associations with Same- and Cross-Sex Peer Teasing via Appearance-based Rejection Sensitivity.

In this study of young adolescents' (N = 188, M age = 11.93, 54.8% females) body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms, we examined a theoretically-derived model to determine if symptoms could be explained by appearance-related teasing, general peer victimization, and social anxiety. BDD symptoms were assessed as distressing preoccupation with perceived appearance defects, social avoidance, and repeated grooming and appearance checking. Associations were expected to occur via the social-perceptual bias known as appearance-based rejection sensitivity (appearance-RS). The source of appearance teasing was also considered (same-sex vs. cross-sex peers), and age and gender moderation were assessed. As predicted, in a structural equation model, BDD symptoms were higher when adolescents self-reported more appearance teasing and higher social anxiety. Moreover, it was appearance teasing by cross-sex peers, rather than same-sex peers, that was uniquely associated with elevated BDD symptoms. These associations were partially mediated by appearance-RS. Notably, peer-reported general victimization was not associated with BDD symptoms. There was no evidence for gender moderation, but some age moderation was found, with stronger associations usually found among older compared to younger adolescents. The findings suggest that appearance-related social adversity, particularly cross-sex teasing, is linked with greater concerns about rejection due to appearance and, in turn, heightened BDD symptoms. This has important implications for understanding the development and treatment of BDD. Continued research to identify the social experiences and interpretative biases that contribute to BDD symptomology is needed.

The connection of teasing by parents, siblings, and peers with girls' body dissatisfaction and boys' drive for muscularity: The role of social comparison as a mediator

In this cross-sectional study, we focused on three research questions pertaining to the connections between appearance-related teasing and body image during adolescence. First, we investigated how parental appearance-related teasing of adolescents was associated with teasing by siblings. Second, we examined how teasing by mothers, fathers, siblings, and peers was individually associated with adolescent girls' body dissatisfaction and boys' drive for muscularity. We included BMI as a possible moderator in these analyses. Third, we tested the role of appearance-related social comparison as a mediator of the relations between teasing and body image. Self-report survey data were collected from 80 girls and 78 boys in a Midwestern U.S. middle school. Results from correlational and odds-ratio analyses indicated that teasing by mothers and fathers was strongly associated with teasing by siblings. Additionally, in regression analyses, mothers', fathers', siblings', and peers' teasing were separately associated with girls' body dissatisfaction and boys' drive for muscularity. Social comparison partially mediated the relationship between all sources of teasing and girls' body dissatisfaction as well as the relationship between mothers' and fathers' teasing and boys' drive for muscularity. Social comparison fully mediated the link between peers' teasing and boys' drive for muscularity. Researchers and clinicians should be aware of how family members and peers can influence adolescents' development of body image concerns through teasing behaviors and by social comparison.